Policy Framework
National Action Plan
■ No
There is no specific National Action Plan/Strategy on Marine Plastic Litter. However, Government is funding several actions against plastic pollution.
The vision of the Government is to make Mauritius a plastic pollution free country within the nearest possible delay. The Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change has already imposed a ban on several categories of single use plastic products and plastic carry bags through the promulgation of:
- The Environment Protection (Control of Single Use Plastic Products) Regulations 2020; and
- The Environment Protection (Banning of Plastic Bags) Regulations 2020
In addition, a Waste Management and Resource Recovery Act was proclaimed in 2023. The objectives of the Act are to ensure:
- The environmentally safe and sound management of solid waste/ hazardous waste; and
- sustainable waste management system through the adoption of a circular economy approach focusing on waste reduction, reuse, treatment, safe disposal, material recovery and recycling.
The Republic of Mauritius has also undertaken projects/research as follows:
- “Management Instruments to Limit the Impact of Plastic Pollution on Marine Life” project carried out by the Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) and funded by the National Environment and Climate Change Fund.
- Research Collaborative Agreement (RCA) with the University of Mauritius on “Analytical monitoring of microplastics”; and
- “Plastics Waste Leakages and Marine Debris in the context of sustainable tourism in Mauritius” between the University of Mauritius and the University Kassel, Germany.
Conscious of the complexity of tackling plastic pollution, Government has placed plastic pollution as one of its top priorities in its agenda. In this endeavour, to combat plastic pollution, the Ministry is currently developing a “Roadmap” to put Mauritius onto a plastic waste and pollution free pathway. This Roadmap will comprise policies, strategies and an action plan to guide actions in a concerted and coordinated manner with relevant stakeholders to effectively combat plastic pollution. These actions may include legislative review, institutional set up and enhanced enforcement among others.
The Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change tackles marine pollution through regular clean up campaigns on land to prevent solid wastes, especially plastics from entering the sea. In addition, regular cleanups are carried out on public beaches by the Beach Authority.
Regular awareness and sensitization campaigns to the public at large are carried out and the curriculum of the primary and secondary school consist of subject matters pertaining to pollution including marine plastic pollution.
Since marine plastic litter knows no boundaries, we are collaborating with our neighbouring countries to address this scourge, through the following regional organisations:
- Nairobi Convention for the protection, management and development of the coastal and marine environment in the Western Indian Ocean;
- Indian Ocean Rim Association through the adoption of a Declaration on combating Marine Debris and a strategic Framework action on marine debris in the Indian Ocean; and
- Indian Ocean Commission EXPLOI project (Expédition Plastique Océan Indien – Indian Ocean Plastic Expedition) aimed at improving knowledge of the impacts of marine plastic pollution.
Furthermore, in the context of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for an International legally binding Instrument to end plastic pollution, the Republic of Mauritius joined the “High Ambition Coalition (HAC) to end plastic pollution”, to develop an ambitious international treaty based on a comprehensive and circular approach that ensures urgent action and effective interventions along the full lifecycle of plastics. The Republic of Mauritius is also member of the Alliance of the Small Island States (AOSIS) and the Africa Group of Negotiators (AGN).
To conclude, the Government of Mauritius has been fighting the tedious battle against plastic pollution for many years. There is growing concern about the specific impacts of plastic pollution, especially microplastics, on the marine environment due to the transboundary nature of plastic waste and seriously affecting Mauritius as a Small Island Developing State. We are more than ever determined to take actions towards the long-term elimination of plastic in marine and other environments. The need for an enhanced international collaboration to facilitate access to technology, capacity-building, financial assistance and scientific and technical cooperation, is of upmost important.
Legal Framework
Name (Year):
- The Environment Act 2024
- The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Act 2023
- The Environment Protection (Control of Single Use Plastic Products) Regulations 2020
- The Environment Protection (Banning of Plastic Bags) Regulations 2020
- The Environment Protection (Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottle Permit) Regulations 2001
Brief Description:
Government has imposed a ban on non-biodegradable single use plastic and plastic carry bags through the promulgation of:
- The Environment Protection (Control of Single Use Plastic Products) Regulations 2020; and
- The Environment Protection (Banning of Plastic Bags) Regulations 2020.
As regards to the management of post-consumer beverage PET bottles, the Environment Protection (Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottle Permit) Regulations 2001 was promulgated.
Littering, illegal dumping into the ocean and on land is an offence under the Environment Act 2024.
Unintentional waste into the ocean may entail enforcement notices under the above Act.
The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Act provides for:
- Development of National Strategies and Actions Plans for Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste;
- Implementation Measures Related to The Sustainable and Integrated Management of Waste;
- Regulation for The Waste Management Sector; and
- Monitoring the Collection, Treatment and Disposal of Waste.
Indicators and/or Targets
■ No
■ Plastic Recycling:
Out of 75,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated annually and directed to the waste stream, only about 4% are collected for recycling.
In year 2024, about 158 million beverage PET bottles were generated and only 35 % were collected for recycling.
■ Plastic Use Reduction:
Indicators:
The banning of single use plastic products and plastic bags has resulted in the following avoidance in the waste stream:
About 200 million single use products avoided in the waste stream; and
About 400 million plastic bags avoided in the waste stream
■ Plastic to alternatives, such as glass, paper or bioplastics:
Indicators:
Alternatives to single use plastic products imported or manufactured composed mainly of cellulose based material and PLA based material.
Alternative to plastic carry bags are biodegradable / compostable plastic bags made up of Polybutylene Adipate Terephtalate(PBaT) and PLA.
Measures
| Measures across Value Chain | ||||||||||||||||
| Actions for encouraging sustainable / circular product design (example: improved durability, reparability, recyclability, reduction of material use per product…etc.) | Yes | |||||||||||||||
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Specific Measures: |
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| Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives, recycled materials at production stage. | Yes | |||||||||||||||
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Specific Measures: ■ Use of Biodegradable Plastics ■ Use of Recycled Materials Brief Description: The Environment Protection (Control of Single Use Plastic Products) Regulations 2020 and the Environment Protection (Banning of Plastic Bags) Regulations 2020 provides a restriction on the manufacture, importation, supply and use of plastic single use products and plastic carry bags respectively. Both regulations also provides for alternative to plastic such as biodegradable/ compostable alternatives. |
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| Steps taken towards restricting microplastics in products. | - | |||||||||||||||
| Reduce single-use plastic (shopping bags, straws etc.) by regulations or voluntary measures (such as ban, levy, others) | Yes | |||||||||||||||
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■ Regulatory Measures (ex. Production Ban, Ban on Use, etc.) ■ Economic Measures (levy, taxes, subsidies, etc.) |
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| Introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) | In Preparation | |||||||||||||||
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Specific Measures:
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| Improve waste management and recycling system | Yes | |||||||||||||||
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Specific Measures:
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| Promoting plastic waste re-use, recycling and recovery opportunities | Yes | |||||||||||||||
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Specific Measures: The EPR regulations to be promulgated under the Waste Management Resource Recovery Act will provide for the establishment a centralised system operator for the management of post-consumer beverage bottles/ containers. This measure is to increase the rate of collection and recycling of beverage plastic/aluminium containers. |
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| Install capturing trap/filter on drainage/river | Yes | |||||||||||||||
| Specific Measures: Traps are placed by local Authorities at strategic drainage/river. |
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| Conduct clean-up activities in rivers/ wetlands/ beaches/ coasts/ coral reefs/ sea floor, involving local communities involving local communities | Yes | |||||||||||||||
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Specific Measures: |
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| Issue-specific Measures | ||||||||||||||||
| ＜1＞ Abandoned, Lost and Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) | ||||||||||||||||
| Taken/to be taken National Level Action and/or Community Level Action on Clean sea initiatives including ghost net retrieval, ocean-bound plastics etc. | Yes | |||||||||||||||
| Specific Measures: The Ministry with the collaboration of the Beach Authority undertakes regular beach and lagoon cleanups. |
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| Taken actions for preventing abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) being generated. | - | |||||||||||||||
| Created/creating collection/recycling mechanism for ALDFG | - | |||||||||||||||
| ＜2＞ Port Waste Reception For waste management in ports, please provide details regarding their solid waste management practices/facilities including: |
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| Whether there is an applicable legal framework | - | |||||||||||||||
| The institution(s) responsible for (or playing a central role in, if voluntary action) managing the waste from ships? (example: port management authority, fishers' association...etc.) | Yes | |||||||||||||||
| Brief Description: The Mauritius Ports Authority is the responsible Authority for the management of the Port. |
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| Whether ports possess waste reception facilities/systems to handle solid waste from ships, the volume of waste collected and the percentage of ports with waste reception facilities? | Yes | |||||||||||||||
| Brief Description: The Mauritius Ports Authority provides for waste reception facilities. |
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| The handling procedures for each distinct waste stream once onshore. | Yes | |||||||||||||||
| Brief Description: All wastes (except contaminated that poses health hazards) are directed to the landfill. |
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| Partnership and Innovation | ||||||||||||||||
| Boost multi-stakeholder involvement and awareness-raising | Yes | |||||||||||||||
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Specific Measures: |
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| Encourage/ Incentivize action by private sector companies to reduce/ sustainably manage their plastic waste. | Yes | |||||||||||||||
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Specific Measures: |
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| Encourage public awareness on MPL issues through formal education system and/or curriculum for | Yes | |||||||||||||||
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Specific Measures: |
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| Promote innovative solutions through Research & Development (e.g., subsidy program, investment fund etc.) | Yes | |||||||||||||||
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Specific Measures: |
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| Monitoring, Data Management, Understanding Flow of Plastics/MPL | ||||||||||||||||
| Conduct Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of plastic products. What are the challenges if LCA is not conducted? | - | |||||||||||||||
| Conduct Material Flow Analysis (MFA) on plastics. What are the challenges if MFA is not conducted? | Yes | |||||||||||||||
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Scope: ■ Local Brief Description: “Plastic component” under the “Implementing Sustainable Low and non-Chemical Development in SIDS (ISLANDS)” Project. This Project started in February 2025 and comprises amongst others, a supply chain analysis of imported plastic pellets. This project will enable the creation of a database of the types of plastic pellets imported and products that are manufactured from these pellets. This supply chain analysis will enable Government to take policy decisions with respect to future control of plastic pellets in line with the forthcoming International Legally Binding Instrument. Challenges: Data Gaps |
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| Conduct monitoring / estimation / scientific research on leakage of plastics/microplastics to the natural environment and/or flow of ocean surface. What are the challenges if these actions are not conducted? |
No | |||||||||||||||
| International Collaboration | ||||||||||||||||
| Participate in international cooperation through international organizations, multi-national groups, etc. | Yes | |||||||||||||||
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Specific Measures:
for multilateral negotiations on an ambitious treaty (which could include provisions on capacity building, technology transfer, financing mechanism) to end plastic pollution including in the marine environment. |
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| Support target region by your international cooperation initiatives/projects: South, Central and Southeast Asia | Yes | |||||||||||||||
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Target Regions: | ||||||||||||||||
Challenges
■ Recycling System Improvement
Specific Challenges:
- Low recycling rate of 6-7% as the wastes are commingled;
- No source segregation of wastes in place in Mauritius thus leading to contamination of recyclables;
- Currently there is no adequate collection system and infrastructure in place to promote recycling. Around 93-94% of the solid wastes are being landfilled at the sole landfill of the island;
- Lack of Public Awareness and Education on the importance of recycling and impacts of plastics wastes in the environment;
- Limited market for recycled products;
- Lack of enforcement.
■ Proper Waste Management System (Including Lack of Local Capacity)
Specific Challenges:
- The sole landfill of the island is nearing saturation and limited land availability restricts the lateral expansion of the landfill and the creation of new landfills;
- There is a need to invest in adequate collection system and infrastructure to promote recycling;
- Low recycling rates as wastes are not segregated, thus leading to contamination of recyclables and no critical mass;
- Lack of public awareness regarding waste reduction, recycling and proper waste disposal, are major challenges. It is crucial to promote responsible waste management practices through education and awareness campaigns;
- Integration of the informal sector;
- Lack of cost recovery mechanisms can hinder the development and implementation of sustainable waste management solutions;
- It is essential to strengthen the legal framework for waste management, including clear definitions of waste types and segregation requirements;
- Lack of capacity at local and central levels.
■ Data Collection Related to Waste in General
Specific Challenges:
- Registered recyclers and exporters do not systematically submit their annual returns on amount of plastic wastes recycled locally or exported for recycling as required under the Local Government (Registration of Recycler and Exporter) Regulations 2013;
- Incomplete and inaccurate data received from registered exporters and recyclers;
- Manual data entry on a computerised system are susceptible to human errors thus to inaccurate data;
- Lack of enforcement pertaining to above-mentioned regulations;
- Commercial, institutional and industrial waste generators have to obligation to report on amount of wastes being generated, recycled and disposed of.
Data Gaps on amount imported as plastic packaging.
To specify any other data gaps – to consult Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI).
■ Lack of Financial Incentives for Waste Treatment in General
Specific Challenges:
- Recyclers and exporters of wastes may close down as they may no longer be financially sustainable and people will lose their jobs;
- Low recycling rate as valuable resources will land up in the landfill instead of being reused or recycled;
- Increase in quantity of wastes being disposed at the landfill which is not sustainable;
- Lack of motivation from the public to sort their waste, participate in collection programs, or invest in reusable products.
Best Practices
Description
The need for enhanced international/regional collaboration to facilitate access to technology, capacity-building, financial assistance and scientific and technical cooperation are of upmost important.
Contact Details
Name: Mr. D. Dindyal
Position: Divisional Scientific Officer
Division: National Environmental Laboratory
Organization: Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change
Email: ddindyal@govmu.org